The Young Marriage of Aishah

Introduction

Sadly we currently see the efforts of the Christian missionary activity focused primarily on derailing Islam now more than any other period in history. Thus, we witness numerous travesties and parodies coming from them in their attempts to twist, manipulate and totally abuse historical and etymological facts. These polemics range from a variety of the utterly hilarious to the outright abusive and cruel.

One such dishonest Christian missionary polemic has been the allegation of the young marriage of Aishah to the Prophet Muhammad. The missionaries try to accuse the Prophet of being a child molester -- albeit in politically-correct terms -- due to the fact thatAishah was betrothed (zawaj) at the age of 6 years old and the marriage was consummated (nikah) a few years after the marriage at 9 years old when she was in full puberty. The lapse of time between the zawaj and nikah of `Aishah(R) clearly shows that her parents were waiting for her to reach puberty before her marriage was consummated. If it were not for the fact that some gullible Christians have been parroting the claims without understanding the reasons behind it, we would have not even bothered with a refutation. Such a claim is based only on conjecture and moral relativism, and not on fact.

This article seeks to refute the allegation, insha’allah.

Puberty And Young Marriage In Semitic Culture

The hilarity of the whole saga of Christian missionaries accusing the Prophet(P) of committing “child molestation” is that this contradicts the basic fact that a girl becomes a woman when she begins her menstruation cycle. The significance of menstruation that anyone with the slightest familiarity with physiology will tell you is that it is a sign that the girl is being prepared to become a mother.

Women reach puberty at different ages ranging from 8-12 years old depending on genetics, race and environment. We read that

There is little difference in the size of boys and girls until the age of ten, the growth spurt at puberty starts earlier in girls but lasts longer in boys.1

We also read that:

The first signs of puberty occur around age 9 or 10 in girls but closer to 12 in boys[.]2

Women in warmer environments reach puberty at a much earlier age than those in cold environments.

The average temperature of the country or province is considered the chief factor here, not only with regard to menstruation but as regards the whole of sexual development at puberty.3

Marriage at the early years of puberty was acceptable in 7th century Arabia as it was the social norm in all Semitic cultures from the Israelites to the Arabs and all nations in between. According to the Talmud which the Jews regard as their “oral Torah”, Sanhedrin 76b clearly states that it is preferable that a woman be married when she has her first menses, and in Ketuvot 6a there are rules regarding sexual intercourse with girls who have not yet menstruated. This is further collaborated when Jim West, ThD, a Baptist minister, observes the following tradition of the Israelites:

The wife was to be taken from within the larger family circle (usually at the outset of puberty or around the age of 13) in order to maintain the purity of the family line.4

Puberty has always been a symbol of adulthood throughout history.

Puberty is defined as the age or period at which a person is first capable of sexual reproduction, in other eras of history, a rite or celebration of this landmark event was a part of the culture.5

The renowned sexologists, R.E.L. Masters and Allan Edwards, in their study of Afro-Asian sexual expression states the following

Today, in many parts of North Africa, Arabia, and India, girls are wedded and bedded between the ages of five and nine; and no self-respecting female remains unmarried beyond the age of puberty.6

Were There Any Objections to the Marriage of the Prophet(P) to `Aishah(R)?

The answer to this is no. There are absolutely no records from Muslim, secular, or any other historical sources which even implicitly display anything other than utter joy from all parties involved over this marriage. Nabia Abbott describes the marriage of `Aishah(R) to the Prophet(P) as follows.

In no version is there any comment made on the disparity of the ages between Mohammed and Aishah or on the tender age of the bride who, at the most, could not have been over ten years old and who was still much enamoured with her play.7

Even the well-known critical Orientalist, W. Montgomery Watt, said the following about the Prophet’s moral character:

From the standpoint of Muhammad’s time, then, the allegations of treachery and sensuality cannot be maintained. His contemporaries did not find him morally defective in any way. On the contrary, some of the acts criticized by the modern Westerner show that Muhammad’s standards were higher than those of his time.8

Aside from the fact that no one was displeased with him or his actions, he was a paramount example of moral character in his society and time. Therefore, to judge the Prophet’s morality based on the standards of our society and culture today is not only absurd, but also unfair.

Marriage At Puberty Today

The Prophet’s contemporaries (both enemies and friends) clearly accepted the Prophet’s marriage to `Aishah(R) without any problem. We see the evidence for this by the lack of criticism against the marriage until modern times. However, a change in culture has caused the change in our times today.

Even today in the 21st century, the age of sexual consent is still quite low in many places. In Japan, people can legally have sex at age 13, and in Spain they can legally have sex at the age of 12 years old9. A 40-year-old man having sex with a 14-year-old woman may be a “pedophile” in the United States, but neither in China today, where the age of consent is 14, nor in the United States in the last century. Biology is a much better standard by which to determine these things, not the arbitrariness of human culture. In the U.S. during the last century, the age of consent was 10 years old. California was the first state to change the age of consent to 14, which it did in 1889. After California, other U.S. states joined in and raised the age of consent too10.

Islam And the Age of Puberty

Islam clearly teaches that adulthood starts when a person have attained puberty. From the collection of Bukhari11, we read the following tracts:

The boy attaining the age of puberty and the validity of their witness and the Statement of Allah

“And when the children among you attain the age of puberty, then let them also ask for permission (to enter).” (Qur’an, 24:59)

Al Mughira said, “I attained puberty at the age of twelve.” The attaining of puberty by women is with the start of menses, as is referred to by the Statement of Allah

“Such of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them prescribed period if you have any doubts (about their periods) is three months…” [Qur’an, 65:4]

Thus, it is part of Islam to acknowledge the coming of puberty as the start of adulthood. It is the time when the person has already matured and is ready the responsibilities of an adult. So on what basis do the missionaries criticize the marriage of `Aishah(R) since her marriage was consummated when she had reached puberty?

We also read from the same source that:

…Al-Hasan bin Salih said, “I saw a neighbour of mine who became a grandmother at the age of twenty-one.”(1)

(1) The note for this reference says: “This women attained puberty at the age of nine and married to give birth to a daughter at ten; the daughter had the same experience.”12

Thus, it is clear that if the charge of “child molestation” were to be advanced against the Prophet(P), we would also have to include all the Semitic people who accepted marriage at puberty as the norm.

Conclusions

We have thus seen that:

It was the norm of the Semitic society in 7th century Arabia to allow pubescent marriages.

There was no reports of opposition to the Prophet’s marriage to `Aishah(R) either from his friends or his enemies.

Even today, there are cultures who still allow pubescent marriage for their young women.

In spite of facing these well-known facts, the missionaries would still have the audacity to point a finger at the Prophet Muhammad (P) for immorality. Yet, it was he who had brought justice to the women of Arabia and raised them to a level they had not seen before in their society, something which ancient civilizations have never done to their women.

When Muhammad (P) first became the Prophet of Islam, the pagans of Arabia had inherited a disregard for women as had been passed down among their Jewish and Christian neighbours. So disgraceful was it considered among them to be blessed with a female child that they would go so far as to bury this baby alive in order to avoid the disgrace associated with female children.

“When news is brought to one of them of (the birth of) a female (child) his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief! With shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain it on (sufferance and) contempt or bury it in the dust? Ah! what an evil (choice) they decide on!”13

Through the teachings of Islam, Muhammad (P) put a swift and resounding end to this evil practice. God tells us that on the Day of Judgment, the female child will be questioned for what crime she was killed.

“When the female (infant) buried alive is questioned – for what crime she was killed.”14

Not only did Muhammad (P) severely discouraged and condemned this act, he also used to teach them to respect and cherish their daughters and mothers as partners and sources of salvation for the men of their family.

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri narrated that:

The Prophet(P) said: ‘If anyone cares for three daughters, disciplines them, marries them, and does good by them, he will enter Paradise.’15

Abdullah the son of Abbas narrated that:

The Prophet(P) said: ‘If anyone has a female child, and does not bury her alive, or slight her, or prefer his male children over her, Allah will bring him into Paradise.’16

The Prophet(P) is also cited in Saheeh Muslim as saying:

‘Whoever maintains two girls till they attain maturity, he and I will come on the Day of Resurrection like this’; and he joined his fingers.

In other words, if one loves the Messenger of God(P) and wishes to be with him on the day of resurrection in heaven, then they should do good by their daughters. This is certainly not the act of a “child molester”, as the missionaries would like us to believe.

Finally, we end this with a citation from the Holy Prophet(P), who said: “I have come to defend the two oppressed peoples: women and orphans.”

Appendix: A Married Nine-Year Old In Thailand Gives Birth

Below is a news article from The New Straits Times, Malaysia, dated 10th of March, 2001 about a nine-year old girl living in northern Thailand giving birth to a baby girl. The fact that a nine-year old girl is mature enough to give birth proves the point above about girls reaching puberty earlier than men.

The original news report can be read here. Should the husband of this young girl be accused of “child molestation”, as insinuated by the Christian missionaries?

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12 Comments

Assalamuallaikum!!!! Can anybody tell me what was the concept of Slave women in Prophet’s (pbuh)time….??? i aware that Islam abolished slavery but then i wonder what slave women had to do…??? if it means just like Servants or Maids why are they referred as women whom they can marry or Consumate for that matter… Correct me if i am wrong…!!! Somebody help me out with this..?

065.004 ????????? ???????? ???? ?????????? ???? ??????????? ???? ??????????? ?????????????? ???????? ???????? ????????? ???? ???????? ????????? ?????????? ??????????? ???? ???????? ??????????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ???? ???? ???????? ???????
065.004 Such of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the prescribed period, if ye have any doubts, is three months, and for those who have no courses (it is the same): for those who carry (life within their wombs), their period is until they deliver their burdens: and for those who fear Allah, He will make their path easy.

Al-Qur’an, 065.004 (At-Talaq [Divorce])

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Authenticity of Quran has been tested by a large number of Westerners and it stands confirmed that it is Divine Message.

Muslims should really not care whether contemporary western society has objections towards anything or not, because they have lost their Divine Message. It is indeed laughable that Bible is published in various editions and versions. Even whatever they have, they dont care to read or follow.

Quran does not specify age of marriage for women in terms of years. However, 65:4 mentions that Iddat for a female who has not had her mensturation periods yet is the same as for women who have their menstrual cycle. Thus, if Allah Almighty does not have any objection over minor marriage, then nobody should have any objection.

I have read the arguments by Abdur Rahman Siddiqi Kandhalwi. His argument carries weight. However, even if we accept the Hadith in Sahih Bukhari, then we have endorsement of Quran to this effect. If Allah Almighty allows something, we should not be apologetic about that.

Thank you for that great reference. The author did such a scholarly job proving that Aicha’s age was indeed 19 and not 9 as claimed by deceptive Christian evangelists. She was (Allah’s peace and blessings on her) noblest of character and a warrior at heart. She wasn’t playing with toys, as their fake hadiths allege, but clashing swords with Islam’s enemies and carrying the flag of victory to many decisive battles. Her legendary courage and devotion to the faith would put their Joan of Arc to shame.

ALL the hadiths that say she was 9 are traced to just 1 man called Hisham the son of Urwah.
EVERY SINGLE ONE of these hadiths, whether from Bukhari, Muslim etc, include this man and the above scholar shows us how he made this error in the latter part of his life.

The Allamah shows from the Hadith Literature itself that Aisha (ra) was born several years before 610 CE. So that at the Hijrah in 623, she was about 17.

How can we disagree with a conclusion of a result when we all agree with the individual data??
We all agree with the following:
Aisha(ra) was 10 years younger than her sister Asma(ra).
Asma(ra) died in 73 AH aged 100.
Threfore Asma(ra) was 27 at the Hijrah.

Therefore Aisha(ra) was 17 at the Hijrah.
WHY CANT YOU AGREE TO THIS SIMPLE LOGIC??

Please read the book. All its arguments are from Islamic sources.
Hisham bin Urwah was a reliable narrator while he was in Madinah, and all his narrations from there are Sahih. But Imam Bukhari seems to be unaware of what happened to him when Hisham moved to iraq aged 71.
The Allamah quotes Dhahabi & Hafiz Ibn Hajr to show that Hishams memory became so bad that he even confused his own wifes marriage date saying that he married her when she was 9! Before he was even born!! She was actually 11 years older than him & they married when she was 29.
So, Muslims should speak with knowledge or remain silent.

The Bible degrades the Prophets of God by vilification:
For a Muslim, many of the claims to be found in the Bible with regard to the prophets of God, and even God himself, are monstrous and preposterous. One is hard pressed to find a single prophet or messenger who was not a drunkard, an idolater, an adulterer, guilty of incest, a liar, and so forth. The Bible practically overflows with such stories from almost every Tom, Dick, and Harry. The messengers of God are even made to be guilty of multiple cases of adultery and worse. Abraham (pbuh) is alleged to be a liar and worse (Genesis 12:13). Noah (pbuh) a drunkard (Genesis 9:21). Lot (pbuh) a drunkard and guilty of incest (Genesis 19:30-38). Solomon (pbuh) a worshipper of idols in his old age (1 Kings 4-9), King David (pbuh) commits adultery with Uriah’s wife and then murdered her husband (2 Samuel 11:3-4,15-18), David’s son Ammon is guilty of incest and the rape of his half sister (2 Samuel 13:14). Aaron (pbuh) fashions an idol (the golden calf) for the Jews to worship (Exodus 32:1-4), to name but a very few of the many allegations to be found in the current Bible. (Misha’al Ibn Abdullah Al-Kadhi, What Did Jesus Really Say? [online Source]
Here is a brief summary:
Noah got drunk, Lot committed incest, Moses was a murderer, Aaron built the calf, David committed adultery, and Solomon was guilty of idol-worship. Yet the Prophet Muhammad is not guilty of any of these crimes!
Strangely, Christians defend the false portrayal of God and His prophets, yet have the audacity to charge the Prophet Muhammad with falsehood!

all over the world having sex at a young age is considered bad ONLY RECENTLY. but what is really bad is having sex OUTSIDE MARRIAGE.

no law that man can ever legislate can prevent a nine-year old girl from getting pregnant provided she has reached puberty at that age. so, what are we going to do, consider that young Thai mummy’s child a bastard, since it did not fulfill your artificial requirements? she’s not supposed to have a child, right? why didn’t you stop God from letting her bear one?

i am really puzzled at some people who react to the Beloved Prophet’s marriage to the young Aishah, who was physically, biologically, and naturally capable of bearing children by then (since the marriage was consummated when she has reached puberty). it will not do to argue that the Prophet and the respected Mother of the Believers did not have children, since puberty is the way to determine one’s readiness to have children.

and what if they are odd? rare does not make something evil. i’d rather that people would complain against homosexual relationships, whom God Almighty has cursed with perpetual sterility (to any homosexual who would react to this, please bring any proof that you serve mankind’s biological investment of propagation of the species through your homosexual relationship).

while the legal age has been higher, there is no decrease to the number of broken families around the world. i wonder why?

no i do not agree to this
all over the world having sex at a young age is considered bad.especially in india there is a law to prohibit this.the usual age for marrying is 23 in india.The incidents that you told have taken place(rarely) but they are considered odd now.